Merchant Navy is a civilian naval fleet engaged in the transport of goods (cargo) from one location to another for trading purposes. With more than 90% of the world trade being carried by merchant ships, it is indeed the backbone of world trade. This role makes Merchant Navy different from the profession of Indian Navy.

Carrying cargo to different parts of the worlds requires and has made Merchant Navy a highly regularised profession. Ships today are equipped with the latest technology and provide an opportunity to those who join this profession as seafarers, a career full of adventure, continuous training opportunities and a high income.

Operating a modern ship efficiently requires specialised knowledge. A seafarer thus needs to undergo training to operate and manage a ship. The two main departments of operating a ship are:

Deck or Navigation: Deck officers are responsible for the navigation of the ship and delivery of the cargo at the port of destination as per the time schedule. The department also looks after the general maintenance, administration, observance of national and international maritime laws and discipline on board.

Engine: With a basic qualification of engineering, the officers from the Engine Department are responsible for the efficient running and maintenance of the main engines and other equipments to enable the ship to sail as per the schedule.

Officers trained in either of the two departments work together to ensure the smooth sailing of the ship and safe delivery of the cargo.

Considered one of the finest seafarer-training institutes among the maritime training facilities around the globe, Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) was established with an aim at developing a pool of high caliber seafarers trained at all levels to work in an increasingly demanding shipping environment. SIMS has in fact set a benchmark in maritime education within the region in just a short span of time since its incorporation in 2002.

It is the institute’s commitment to provide an outstanding maritime training opportunity to the Indian seafarers in addition to developing and nurturing a future generation of competent professional seafarers to carry on the difficult task of the shipping industry for the 21st Century and beyond.

The non-commercial post-sea facility of the institute was established exclusively for the in-house crew of our sponsors, Executive Ship Management Pte Ltd, Singapore as a step to achieve the highest standards in manning.

Located at Chembur, Mumbai, the facility offers over 40 value-added courses to the crew members to upgrade their knowledge and keep them on top of the increasing requirement of a fast developing shipping industry. The courses range from Advanced Training on various Tanker Operations to short value-added courses like the Main Engine Manoeuvring System and Safety Awareness. Many of the courses are mainly specialized training courses on gas, chemical and oil tankers.

The facilities include unique hands on equipments like a down sized stainless steel tank of a chemical tanker, bridge simulator with 240 deg. Field of view, liquid cargo handling simulator, main engine manoeuvring simulator, hydraulic and electric trainers etc.

As a progressive and leading teaching and training institute, SIMS provides international recognition in addition to a holistic learning experience that is over and above mandatory requirements, giving seafarers that extra edge in ensuring a safer and more efficient running of ships.

AccreditationRated the highest grade by ICRA – India’s leading Ratings, Research, Risk and Policy Advisory Company, SIMS is recognized by the Directorate General of Shipping, India as well as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. It is certified by leading maritime classification society, Det Norske Veritas, Norway for ISO 9001: 2008. It is also approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK), Panama, Liberia and Marshall Islands Authorities to run their Ship Security Officers Course. SIMS is the first and only maritime training institute in India, which is providing value-added training courses approved under DG Shipping India, MCA (UK), Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore as well as Govt. Shipping authorities of Panama and Liberia.

In order to extend such first class maritime training to the next generation of Indian merchant navy officers, SIMS opened its pre-sea training campus at Lonavala, Maharashtra. This state-of-the-art campus complements the post sea training facility in Mumbai.

Most
modern CampusDesigned to be one of the most modern residential campus of a maritime training institute anywhere, SIMS, Lonavala is comfortably located eight kilometres from Lonavala town along the Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore Highway (NH4) and encompasses an area of over 55 acres by the bank of the river Indrayani amidst the magnificent view of the Sahyadri mountain range. Just a few kilometres away on the northeast are the archeologically famous Karla Buddhist caves, estimated over 2000 years old.

As trendsetter in the world’s maritime industry, SIMS Lonavala features state-of-the-art facilities with the latest equipment. In fact, most of the equipments are real-life machineries as in ships and specially designed simulators are based on the type of vessels managed by our sponsors. The campus also features hands-on training in the ship-in-campus – a unique facility to simulate the real sailing experience ashore, which is presently not available in any other maritime institute.

The institute is fully residential for the students and the faculty and provides all amenities within and around the campus.

The institute has empanelled a multi-speciality hospital (Pioneer Hospital) in Talegaon for providing medical facilities to the cadets. A physician from the hospital visits the institute regularly and also when called as well to attend to cadets’ sick report and advises on medicines and healthcare. Besides, the institute has a standby vehicle with driver 24x7 to attend to any kind of emergency in the campus.

Location
Map of SIMS, Lonavala

What
We OfferSIMS adopts a different style of learning approach that is innovative and immersive encouraging inquiry, participation and teamwork among our students. The highly selective admissions is a holistic process that looks at the total individual and students are given training that is over and above mandatory international standards. Successful graduates can then look forward to a rewarding seafaring career.

All courses are under approval of DG Shipping and the nautical courses follow syllabus of the Indian Maritime University (IMU) leading to Diploma and Degree in Nautical Science.

Seamanship
and physical activitiesSeamanship and physical activities Candidates for pre-sea training come
from varying social, cultural, geographical, linguistic and economic
backgrounds. On completion of training, the candidates are required
to be able to man the ships effectively and to know the manner of working
and of behaving in their respective work-stations, accommodation, recreation
rooms, dining halls and in all formal and informal contexts on board
the ship and elsewhere.

Bearing
this in mind, we will be placing emphasis on classroom and outdoor activities
such as parade, physical training, swimming, boat work, outdoor games,
extra-curricular activities, etc. Cheerful obedience to orders of superiors,
team spirit, leadership and other seaman-like qualities will be inculcanated in the candidates.

Selection Process for Pre Sea candidatesA successful career in merchant navy requires more than just a strong
academic foundation. SIMS’ selection process will test you on
each of the below parameters.

Written Examination
Applicants are required to qualify the written exam held at different locations all over India.

Personal Interview Applicants
are interviewed by a panel of educators and maritime professionals to
assess the applicants' communication skills, leadership potential, clarity
of thought, maturity and reasoning abilities. The panel also looks for
any extracurricular achievements of the candidate.

Medical
ExaminationMedical practitioners appointed by the Institute will examine all selected
candidates for certifying conformation with the medical requirements
laid down by the Institute.

An eye test by MMD, DG Shipping will be undertaken for the candidates who are successful in all other tests and then shortlisted.

Psychometric
TestConducted by the certified psychologist to determine the mental profile
of the candidate to determine the suitability of the candidate for the
profession.

Re-appearing / Second attempt for SIMS Entrance Exam
Re-appearance or second attempt for SIMS Entrance Exam is allowed only after 6 months after the First attempt.

The entry requirements are set out below. In addition, selected candidates
would also have to pass a Psychometric test and a medical test.

Requirement

For Deck Cadets

For B.Tech

For Engine Cadets

Age

For candidates joining after Class XII: Not less than 17 years & Not more than 20 years as on date of commencement of the course

For candidates joining after B.Sc. in PCM or Electronics: Not more than 22 years as on the starting date of the course

For candidates joining after B.E./B. Tech. Degree from I.I.T or a college recognized by AICTE: Not more than 25 years as on the starting date of the course

Not less than 17 years & Not more than 20 years as on date of commencement of the course

Not more than 25 years as on the joining date

Marital Status

Unmarried

Academic

I. Candidate must pass Class XII in the FIRST ATTEMPT from a board approved by Ministry of HRD, Govt of India. Candidates who have appeared / appearing for the Class XII examination for the current year are also eligible to apply.
Minimum Aggregate Percentage – 60%
Minimum PCM aggregate 60%
Minimum score in Physics & Maths individually 50%
Minimum aggregate of Physics & Maths 60%
(For Andhra Pradesh & Kerala State Board, separate board exams held for each class(11th & 12th) & hence, aggregate of each class marks are considered)
Candidates who have given Improvement exam for class 12th should note the below points:

Reasons for undertaking improvement test in the XII board examinations must be stated by the candidate at the time of interview.

Candidate should have appeared for all subjects in the improvement tests.

Candidate should have obtained a minimum of 70% average in PCM in the improvement test.

Or

II. BSc: Degree in Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Electronics with minimum 55% in final year along with Min 55% in PCM in Class XII.

Or

III. BE (Mechanical) Engineering: Degree from an AICTE/UGC Deemed University Approved Institute with min 50% in final year

Candidate must pass Class XII in the FIRST ATTEMPT from a board approved by Ministry of HRD, Govt of India. Candidates who have appeared / appearing for the Class XII examination for the current year are also eligible to apply.
Minimum Aggregate Percentage – 60%
Minimum PCM aggregate 60%
Minimum score in Physics & Maths individually 50%
Minimum aggregate of Physics & Maths 60%
(For Andhra Pradesh & Kerala State Board, separate board exams held for each class(11th & 12th) & hence, aggregate of each class marks are considered)
Candidates who have given Improvement exam for class 12th should note the below points:

1) Reasons for undertaking improvement test in the XII board examinations must be stated by the candidate at the time of interview.

2) Candidate should have appeared for all subjects in the improvement tests.

3) Candidate should have obtained a minimum of 70% average in PCM in the improvement test.

Graduation in BE (Mechanical) Engineering / Naval Architecture from an AICTE approved Institute with a minimum mark of 55% in final year.
OR

BE (Mechanical & Automation) from an AICTE approved Institute with a minimum mark of 55% in final year.

(Note: BE (Mechanical & Automation) candidates will not get full exemption from MEO Class IV and MEO Class II Certificate of Competency exam but require to appear and pass the “Heat Engines” written paper of MEO Class IV Part’A’ CoC exam and “Thermodynamics & Heat Transmission” written paper of MEO class II Part ‘A’ CoC exam)

Candidate must clear his BE / B.Tech in 4 years only & not have more than 6 backlogs in the stipulated 4 yrs of the course

12th Aggregate should be 60% or above

Language

English shall be one of the subjects with minimum marks scored 50% in class X or XII

English shall be one of the subjects with minimum marks scored 50% in class X or XII

English shall be one of the subjects with minimum marks scored 50% in class X or XII or degree

Medical

Physically fit and meet the standards laid out by DG Shipping

Eyesight

6/6 vision in both eyes (without visual aids); no colour-blindness

Use of corrective lenses permitted but the maximum permissible limits, at entry, are 6/12 in each eye or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye, for Distant Unaided Vision. ( As given in M.S. Act, Medical Examinations, Annexure B.)

Use of corrective lenses permitted but the maximum permissible limits, at entry, are 6/12 in each eye or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye, for Distant Unaided Vision. ( As given in M.S. Act, Medical Examinations, Annexure B.)

IMU CET

Candidates must clear IMU CET also.

A strict medical fitness test is necessary for all selected candidates
prior to admission. Candidates are advised to undergo a medical test
as prescribed by the Directorate General of Shipping on their own (www.dgshipping.com) prior to applying to avoid disappointment at a later stage.

1. Deck cadets’ pre-sea batch commences in February / August every year.
2. B. Tech program commences in August every year.
3. GME program commences in March / September every year.4. Each semester is of 23 weeks duration.

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) has launched online entrance exam system. Candidates can fill the online application & register for an entrance test as per his date of choice and centre of choice from amongst designated exam centers of APTECH (ATTEST) spread across the length and breadth of the country. Exam dates can be chosen from all days of the week except Tuesdays. Based on results obtained in the online test, candidates will be informed about date for interview & psychometric test in our campus at Lonavla. In case of any query, candidates are advised to contact our Team Admissions at the below mentioned contact numbers.
Our Contact detail:

5.2 What Next

The list of successful candidates, who are accepted for SIMS pre sea training, would be announced on our website. The selected candidates are to submit a non-refundable joining fee as per the schedule date stated in the website. This joining fee is non-refundable unless the student fails to qualify for the specified course as per the admission requirements laid down by the institute. Those who pay the joining fee within the time frame will only be accepted for admission.

Your application will be processed and an e-call letter will be forwarded to you from one week to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of the written test, which candidates are required to take. In case you do not receive the e-call letter, please contact us on the numbers given below.
Along with the written test, candidates are also required to take a psychometric test, appear for an interview and a medical examination. The examination / Interview dates and venues will be announced by the representative centres and details will also be updated on the website.